What happened
On December 28, 2001, a Cessna 177 RG, registration ZS-NDO, was returning to Cape Town International Airport. While flying north of Stellenbosch airfield, the pilot received instructions from Cape Town Tower ATC to join the left downwind for Runway 9. During the approach, the pilot was directed to perform right-hand orbits abeam the tower. After completing four orbits, the pilot accepted an alternative landing instruction for Runway 34, with the additional directive not to cross Runway 01/19.
During the landing sequence on Runway 34, the aircraft touched down with its undercarriage still in the retracted position. The resulting belly landing caused slight damage to the aircraft's belly and resulted in bent propeller blades. There were no injuries among the four people on board.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's actions during the transition between flight patterns and the final approach. Records indicated that the aircraft was being maintained according to prescribed intervals, with the next maintenance inspection not due until July 2002. The investigation examined the sequence of air traffic control instructions provided to the crew immediately prior to the landing.
Findings
- The pilot was preoccupied with multiple simultaneous instructions from ATC, including the requirement to orbit and the specific instruction to avoid crossing Runway 01/19.
- This mental workload led to a failure to complete essential pre-landing checklists.
- As a direct consequence of the oversight, the pilot neglected to lower the landing gear before touchdown.